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‘Sweet Sunday’ celebrating silver anniversary

4 min read
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A group of City Mission volunteers had a sweet idea 25 years ago.

While brainstorming new fundraising ideas, they came up with a dessert-tasting festival in a family-friendly atmosphere, showcasing celebrity judges, activities for kids, and a line-up of live entertainers. And since that time, City Mission’s “Sweet Sunday” festival has grown into one of the area’s premiere winter events for families, attracting over 3,000 guests last year.

Cindy Pfrimmer, one of the founders of Sweet Sunday, came upon the Mission by “total happenstance.” She got lost driving home from her husband’s oncology office on a rainy day and ended up in front of the City Mission on West Wheeling Street. She went in to ask for directions and Jean Anthony, the office manager known as “Mission Mom” by many of the residents, offered her a tour. Pfrimmer instantly fell in love with the Mission and its purpose.

Soon after, she began volunteering her time, eventually becoming a member of the Mission’s board of directors.

Pfrimmer and fellow board member Phyllis Ross began meeting regularly to discuss fundraising ideas, and one day, over a cup of coffee, the idea for Sweet Sunday was born. In just two months, they were able to pull the entire event together after recruiting the help of their friends, Isabelle Holzapfel and Helen Colletti.

“We tried to get high quality items. We had a handmade hobby horse and a table and chairs.” said Holzapfel, who chaired the auction committee that first year. “We went out and begged for items. We asked everybody we knew.”

The City Mission is well-known in the community nowadays, but not so much 25 years ago.

“We had to explain how many people were being fed, how many were receiving shelter,” Holzapfel said.

The event also needed a home, so Pfrimmer and Ross went around Washington looking for a venue. That first Sweet Sunday was held at the Holiday Inn on Racetrack Road, with the manager donating the property and staff to work for the day.

“If it wasn’t for him, Sweet Sunday may have never happened,” Pfrimmer said.

Of course, a dessert festival also needed vendors, and many local church groups baked desserts of all kinds that first year. Ross, the former food editor for the Observer-Reporter, recruited a handful of professional vendors as well.

Courtesy of City Mission

Courtesy of City Mission

Courtesy of City Mission

City Mission’s “Sweet Sunday” festival has grown into one of the area’s premiere winter events for families, attracting over 3,000 guests last year.

They received sponsorship help from Dr. Ron Salvitti, a local ophthalmologist and founder of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Care Center, who became the lead sponsor for the first Sweet Sunday, and for the last 24 years, has continued to step up as one of the major sponsors. WJPA-Radio sports director Bob Gregg helped to promote the event. For the last 15 years, Gregg has hosted a live broadcast on location, conducting interviews and making live announcements from the event.

“I grew up in this town, and I can’t imagine what it would be like if it wasn’t for City Mission,” Gregg said.

Pfrimmer and Ross also needed to find workers to bring the event to life, and many people wanted to find ways help, including some of the City Mission’s residents.

“The residents were very involved. We had such creative people,” Pfrimmer said. “They hand-painted every sign. They hand-stuffed thousands of envelopes. It was great to see the volunteers working right alongside the residents.”

And the very first Sweet Sunday, all those years ago, exceeded everyone’s expectations. Pfrimmer and Ross were hoping for 500 guests, but ended up with more than 1,500. And now 25 years later, the tradition is still thriving.

“Nothing will ever beat the feeling of that first year,” Pfrimmer recalled. “It was just such a great meshing together. It was beautiful to see the pride that the residents and the volunteers had in the work they had done. That was my favorite moment of the whole thing.”

Last year’s Sweet Sunday was bigger than ever, featuring 23 dessert vendors and hosting 3,200 guests. This year’s event, the 25th anniversary edition, is moving to the Printscape Arena in Southpointe from noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 24. Entertainment includes a performance by Scott Blasey of the Clarks, and the Sunny Days In-Home Care Kid’s Korner featuring “Science on the Road” from the Carnegie Science Center.

Go online to www.citymission.org for more details about tickets and sponsorship opportunities.

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